The Dirty Dozen: When to Buy Organic

By: Danie

It's hard enough to worry about what you are cooking for your family and if it's "healthy" without the added stress of worrying about pesticides and chemically treated vegetables and fruit. Buying all organic is way too expense for the average American but the more we learn the more it seems necessary to make the leap and go organic.

My general rule of thumb is if we are going to eat the skin then I try to buy organic, milk always organic, meat is usually all natural/no hormones and if its for the little man its always organic. The bulk of my purchases are on the outer perimeter of the store (I can't buy all organic so I invest in a great veggie wash).

Someone decided to make our lives easier and make a list of fruits and veggies with high rates of pesticide residue, "The Dirty Dozen." By buying these organic you can cut out up to 80% of the pesticide residue in your diet....

1. Apples
2. Celery
3. Strawberries (Wash berries in 1 part vinegar and 2 parts water when you bring them home this will extend the self life in the fridge, I love it!!)
4. Peaches
5. Spinach
6. Nectarines (Imported)
7. Grapes (Raisins also :(...)
8. Sweet Bell Peppers
9. Potatoes
10. Blueberries
11. Carrots
12. Lettuce/Kale/Collard Greens (Alternatives include Cabbage, Broccoli, Asparagus and Dandelion Greens)